PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70 percent disability rating from February 28, 2011 to August 29, 2021. A higher rating of 100 percent for the entire period on appeal is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a new examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are related to his service in Vietnam.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder. The AOJ is instructed to verify a claimed in-service stressor and seek an addendum opinion from the examiner who provided the August 2021 VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if the Veteran is entitled to special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound status due to his service-connected conditions, including cervical radiculopathy.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent prior to May 16, 2019 and in excess of 70 percent from May 16, 2019 to April 17, 2020.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II and PTSD have been granted service connection. However, the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for ischemic heart disease is remanded. The TDIU claim is also remanded.,Service connection has been established for diabetes mellitus type II and PTSD. The Veteran's ischemic heart disease remains at a non-compensable rating, and the issue of entitlement to TDIU is pending.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to October 28, 2019 is being remanded due to the need for referral to the Director of Compensation Service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, primarily his coronary artery disease and PTSD, do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

An effective date of June 10, 2018 is granted for the grant of a 70 percent rating for PTSD, previously rated as adjustment disorder with disturbance of emotions and conduct.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for his service-connected anxiety disorder is being remanded to allow the AOJ to consider if a rating higher than 30 percent was warranted from August 28, 2018 through June 14, 2020 and whether he should be granted a rating in excess of 50 percent from June 15, 2020 through July 14, 2020.

The Veteran's PTSD, with associated depression and substance abuse disorders is found to be related to his service. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied in November 2012 and August 2016. The Board found no effective date prior to January 14, 2013, is warranted as the initial award of service connection was based on a new claim filed on January 14, 2013.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective September 29, 2017. A higher rating for PTSD prior to this date is denied.

Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss.,Service connection is granted for a lumbar spine disability.,Service connection is granted for posttraumatic stress disorder with alcohol abuse disorder.,The claim for service connection for right facial Bell's Palsy is remanded.,The claim for service connection for cervical spine disability is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 10% prior to February 12, 2014. The Board denied a higher rating for PTSD in this period.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various disabilities, including PTSD, a bilateral foot disability, a stomach disability, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and back and right knee disabilities due to new evidence submitted after the Veteran's hearing.

The Board has ordered additional development to clarify the Veteran's work history and earnings, as well as his ability to secure and follow employment due to PTSD. The issues of TDIU, increased rating for PTSD, and effective date for the PTSD rating are remanded.

The Veteran's GERD and IBS are granted as secondary to his service-connected psychiatric disorder. His PTSD is denied, and MDD is also denied. A rating of 100 percent for the psychiatric condition is granted from March 11, 2019.